White House meets with business groups

Feb. 7, 2013
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President Obama / MANDEL NGAN, AFP/Getty Images

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

Another day, another White House effort to sell its immigration and budget plans.

Senior administration officials are meeting Thursday with business groups on an agenda that includes reducing the debt with both budget cuts and new tax revenues through the closing of loopholes and deductions.

Another topic: An immigration overhaul that includes a pathway to citizenship for the some 11 million illegal immigrants who are already in the United States.

"The groups will discuss the President's efforts to find a balanced approach to reduce the deficit and avoid the devastating effects of the sequester along with the President's approach to comprehensive immigration reform and how it fits into our broader economic agenda," said a White House statement.

One meeting is with large business associations, the White House said, including the Chamber of Commerce, the American Bankers Association, The Retail Industry Leaders Association, the Business Roundtable, the Financial Services Roundtable and the National Retail Federation.

Another conference is with groups of smaller businesses, including the Small Business Majority, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

The Obama officials meeting with these groups include senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, and economic advisers Gene Sperling and Alan Krueger.

Some congressional Republicans say Obama is seeking tax hikes that would slow the economy, and that the proposed pathway to citizenship amounts to amnesty for illegal immigrants.